Check-protector



Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHLET I.

LIEANUS M TODD LYI'ISA"! /8.

L. M. TODD.

CHECK PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION mm APR- ze 39I6 1 335,207 Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

A SHEEIS SHEET 3.

LIBANUS M. TODD LY I 75A 71m.

UNITED STATES PATENT carton.

LIIBANUS M. TODD, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TODD PROTECTOGRAPHCOMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CHECK-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

Application filed April 3, 1916. Serial No. 89,913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LIBANUS M. Tooo, of Rochester, in the county of'Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Check- Protectors; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as willenable any person skilled in the art to which the invention appertainsto make and use the same.

This invention relates to printing machines, and more particularly tothat variety of such apparatus which is adapted for printing upon smallforms of paper such as checks, drafts and other commercial instruments.The present embodiment of the invention is especially suitable forwriting in the monetary value for which a check or similar instrument isdrawn, so as to provide an indelible inscription of the amount, therebyprotecting the instrument against fraudulent alteration.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type of asimple and efficient construction adapted for convenient and rapidoperation to impress the work. To this end the machine is so constructedthat the types for printing the whole inscription may be convenientlyselected and brought to printing position, so that the 1nscription maythen be quickly and completely printed by a single impressing operationof the machine. The machine 18 thus particularly useful where a numberof instruments are to be impressed with the same inscription, as, forinstance, in printing so-called payroll checks. I

Another object is to provide a mach111e of this type with a worksupporting tabl conveniently arranged for the insertion and removal ofthe work and constructed to be automatically moved during the printingoperation to carry the work to and from position to receive the printingimpression. as well as to provide means for automatically clamping thecheck upon the table during the movement of the latter.

Another object is to provide a machine having a simple and eflicientmeans for automatically inking the types brought to printing positionprior to each impression.

'lhese and other objects and advantages will be made clear by thefollowing detailed description of one form of the invention illustratedin the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machlne.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken on the line 22 ofFig. 1. i

Fig. 3 1s a sectional elevation taken substantlally on the line 33 ofFig. 2.

Flg. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the llne 4-1 of Fig. 3, showingthe mechanlsm in normal position.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the positions 0f the parts during theprinting impression.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a machine adapted forprinting monetary values upon checks and similar instruments, andpreferably having types for writing a series of words expressing amountsadapted to be used in selected combinations for writing a wide range ofmonetary values. Words are preferred for this purpose, rather thanfigures, because they form an impression which is more diflicult toalter. These types are conveniently arranged in a plurality of series,each series being preferably carried on an adjustable support, or bar,which is longitudinally slidable in a horizontal plane so that any typeof each series may be brought to print ing position in combination withone or more types of other series for printing a complete expression ofany desired amount. The platen is movably supported below the -typesupporting members and mechanism is provided for raising and loweringthe platen to press the paper into printing contact with the type. V

In combination with a machine of this description there is preferablyprovided a movable work supporting table which in normal positionextends without the casing of the machine and is adapted by means of anactuating connection with the operating lever for the printing couple tobe moved toward and from the latter during the printing impression tocarry the check to printing position and to return it thereafter to aposition without the casing where it may be conveniently removed fromthe machine. The table is provided with means for automatically clampingthe work thereto and for protecting the work during the as indicated inFig. 1.

movement of the table. Means are also provided on the table forautomatically applying ink to the type forms brought to printingposition previous to every impression for insuring the adequate inkingof the type, which is of particular importance in a machine of thischaracter. These and other features are fully disclosed in the followingdetailed description of the present embodi ment of the invention.

The numeral 10 designates a supporting frame and casing for the machineof substantiall rectangular shape, having a covering p ate 11 which isformed near its center with an elevation 12 conformin to the operatingparts of the machine. orwardly of the elevated portion 12 plate 11extends horizontally to the front of the frame 10, thus forming anoperating board 13 provided with means for the selection and adjustmentof the type forms. This board 13 has thereon a plurality of dials. oneof which is indicated at 14. each. having markings representing aconsecutive series of amounts. The board 13 is also provided with a viewaperture 15 through which are visible characters representing the typeforms in printing position, as will be presently understood.

The type forms are preferably carried on a plurality of supportingmembers or bars 16 to 21 inclusive, (Figs. 1 and 3) each bar havingfixed on its lower surface a plurality of forms adapted for printing aconsecutive series of amounts of convenient range shown by the markingsof the corresponding dial, The type forms are arranged in parallelrelation transversely of each bar, as shown at 22, (Fig. 2) and each barhas formed upon its upper surface a series of indicatin characters 23(Figs. and 2) each of which corresponds to a type form on the under sideof the bar, and these indicating characters are so arranged that when agiven type form is brought to printing position by a linear slidingmovement of its supporting bar the corresponding indicating character isvisible at the aperture 15.

Each series of type forms includes some arbitrary conventionalcharacter, as, for instance, the stars shown in Fig. 1, and these typeforms are in printing position on any bar which is not employed in theprinting (if an amount. Type supporting member 16 bears in addition tothe conventional character described a series of types for printing Onecent to Thirteen cents inclusive, and also bears the legend Cents. Typesupporting member 17 carries types for printing the series of wordsFourteen to Nineteen inclusive, and the series of multiples of ten fromTwenty to Ninet inclusive. The member 18 bears types or printing theseries of legends One dollar to Thirteen dollars inclusive, and also thelegend Dollars. Member 19 bears types for printin the series of amountsFourteen to ineteen inclusive, and also the series of multiples of tenfrom Twenty to Ninet inclusive, and also the legend Dollars. Member 20bears types for printin the multiples of one hundred from ne hundred toNine hundred inclusive, and also the legend Dollars. Member 21 bears themultiples of one thousand from One thousand to Nine thousand inclusive.It will be understood that these types are sufficient for selectivecombination to print any amount in dollars and cents less than tenthousand dollars, and by an extension of the same arrangement, 0 course,the machine maybe constructed for printing amounts of any size desired.

The type supporting members are arranged to be moved in straight linesin a (horizontal plane for the purpose of placing any desired typeformin printing position and any means may be employed of course foradjustably supporting these type members, or bars. In the presentinstance the casing of the machine is provided with supporting brackets26 and 27 at the rear and front of the machine, respectively, in whichare fixed the ends of a plurality of guide rods 28. The type bars arearranged side by side with adjacent sides in contact, and the sides ofeach bar are provided with recesses adapted to slidingly engage the bars28, one of the latter being placed between each pair of type bars, andalso on the outside of the bars 16 and 21. Each type bar is provided onits forward upper side with an operating finger piece 29 extendingupwardly through a slot -in the operating board 13. By moving the fingerpiece 2) on any bar opposite a character on its dial 14 thecorresponding type form is brought to printing position and thecorresponding character is indicated at the view aperture 15, so thatthe line of type set up in printing position may be quickly scannedthrough the aperture 15.

The platen mechanism for impressing the paper against the type comprisespreferably an elongated bar 30 having on its upper side an impressionsurface of suflicient length to cooperate with all of the type formsthat may be brought to printing position, and of such width as tocooperate with but one line of types at a time. The impression surfaceof the types and of the platen may he corrugated or otherwise formed forthe purpose of breaking the ,fiber of the paper during the printingimpression in order that the ink may impregnate the paper as disclosedin U. S. Letters Patent 793249 to L. M. Todd, granted June 2:7, 1905.The platen bar is attached at either end by means of screws 31 to asupporting link 32 which has its other end pivotally supported at 33 ona lug 34 on the casing. The platen is thus supported so that it may bereciprocated in a substantially vertical direction toward andfromprinting contact with the type forms above, and the means foreffecting such movement of the platen comprises preferably a link 35 ateach end of the platen and pivotally attached thereto at 36, the upperends of said links 35 being pivotally attached at 37 to rearwardlyextendin arms 38 on a pair of plates 39, one at eigler side of themachine. Each plate 39 is pivotall supported on a part 40 extendinginward y from the side wall of the casing, and these plates are inteally connected by a cross piece 41 exten ing across the machine whichalso serves as a means for the attachment of an operating member, orhandle, 42. Each plate 39 has a downwardly extending branch 43 to whichis attached one end of a spring 44, the other end of which is attachedat,

45 to a part later to be described. Rigidly fixed at each end to theparts 40 projecting inwardly from the sides of the casing frame is abridge 45 extending across the type supporting members above theprinting position. he purpose of this bridge is to support the type barsduring the printing impression. he means for insuring accurateadjustment of the type forms and for locking them in position during theimpression may be of any suitable construction, and for this purpose inthe present instance there is pivoted on each side wall of the casing,as indicated at 46, (Fig. 4) an arm 47, these arms being integrallyunited by a bridge or plate 48 provided at its forward edge withdownwardly extending pointed blades 49 (Figs. 3 and 4), these bladesbeing adapted to accurately fit within recesses 50 provided between theindicating characters 23 on the upper side of each type bar. One ofthese recesses is provided for each type form on the type bar and is soarranged relatively thereto that when the recess is engaged by one ofthe blades 49 the corresponding type form is accurately centered inprinting position, the beveled surfaces of the recesses and the bladesserving after the type bar is approximately adjusted by hand to completethe adjustment by drawing the bar precisely into printing position. Themeans for actuating the centering blades 49 comprises a pin 51 carriedby a forwardl extending branch 52 of the arm 47, whic pin is adapted totravel in a cam slot 53 in the side plate 39 during the movement of theoperating handle 42. Slots 53 are eccentrically arranged. with respectto the pivot points of the side plates 39 so that when the latter arerotated about their pivots 40 to raise the platen the centering blades49 are moved toward the type bars and engaged within recesses 50 tocenter the type bars, just previous to the contact therewith of theplaten.

The means for receiving the work to be printed comprises, preferably, ahorizontal table 54 normally projecting forwardly from and adapted toslide through a slot 54 between the front of the casing and the keyboard13. This table is provided adjacent its four corners with dependingstandards or legs 55, each of which has a forked lower end 56 slidablybearing upon guide rods 57 fixed at their ends in the casing, so thatthe table is supported for a reciprocating movement in a horizontalplane backwardly and forwardly from the front of the machine. For thepurpose of protecting the work and clamping it upon the table there isprovided, preferably, a cover plate 58 movably attached at its rear edge59 to the table. and carrying at its forward portion on either side adepending lug 60 (Fig. 2), a spring 60 being interposed between ashoulder on the lug and the table to urge the plate against the table toclamp the work placed therebetween. As the table 54 moves to its forwardposition, lug 60 engages a cam 61 fixed on the casing which raises thelug and the cover plate 58, a roller 61 being provided on the casing inposition to engage the edge of the table and prevent it from rising,whereby the table and cover plate are separated to receive the work. Asthe table is moved rearwardly, the lug 60, moving ofi the cam 61,permits the plate 58 to engage and hold the work upon the table. Theactuating means for securing the reciprocating movement of the ,tableinclude preferably springs 44, each of which is connected at its forwardend 45 with the corresponding leg 55 of the table, the rear end of thespring, as previously described, being connected with the actuating sideplate 39. Each spring 44 is supported upon an extensible core comprisinga plunger 44 pivoted to the plate 39, and a socket 44 connected to thetable leg so that after the table has been drawn rearwardly by themovement of plate 39 and tension of spring 44, the return movement ofthe plate 39 seats plunger 44 in the socket member 44 and by means ofthese parts pushes the table back to its forward position. These partsare so arranged that as the handle 42 begins to move forwardly,

' the table, by means of the springs 44. is

drawn rearwardly and continues to be moved by the movement of the handle42 until the forward legs of the table strike pins 57 in the guide rods57, when the movement of the table is arrested. This contact with thepins 57 occurs before the platen is raised against the work, and theyielding of springs 44 allows of the continued movement of the operatinghandle and the platen after the table is stopped in the mannerdescribed, to permit the platen to be brought into full contact with thetype. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 it will be seen that the table 54 andplate 58 are provided with apertures 62 and 63, respectively, to permitthe platen to be raised therethrough to project the work slightly aboveplate 58 for engagement with the types, plate 58 thus serving to guardthe Work against contact with the type forms adjacent those in printingposition.

In order that the work may be displaced as little as possible, above thetable 54, means are provided for raising the latter and the protectingplate 58 into proximity to the type forms during the printingimpression, comiprisin a pair of cross arms 64 (Fig. 2) one ad acenteither end of the platen bar, each cross arm being provided at its endswith an adjustable screw 65 adapted, as the platen is raised, to engagethe under side of the table and raise the latter slightly toward thetype forms. The screws 65 are so adjusted that the table is not raisedhigh enough to bring the plate 58 into actual contact with the typeforms. Means are preferabl provided for urging the table downward yagain after the impression and thus stripping the work from the typecomprising rollers 66 journaled at the lower ends of a pair of members67 which are supported for sliding movement by the bridge 45, springs 68being provlded for urging the rollers 66 into engagement with the tableat its sides.

The inking means is preferably of such a construction that the typesselected for printing will be freshly inked previous to each impressionto insure the application to the work of an adequate supply of ink, sothat the latter will thoroughly'impregnate the work and thus serve toform an indelible impression. To this end the table 54 is rovided ateach of its sides with a depend ing bracket 69 having at its rear end aninclined slot 70 within which is journaled the end of a spindle 71carrying the ink rolls 72. The spring 73 at one 'end is attached at 74to the bracket 69 and at its other end to theend of the s indle 71 so asnormally to move the spind e upwardly in the slots 70 and thus carry theinking rolls forwardly and upwardly against the type forms. It is onlynecessary, however, to ink those type forms which have been placed inprinting position, and means are therefore provided for controlling thecontact of the inking rolls with the type forms comprising a bent lever75 pivotally supported at 74 on each of the brackets 69. Each lever 7 5bears downwardly upon an end of the spindle 71 and carries at itsforward end a pin 76 engaging beneath a cam surface 77 supported infixed position on the casing. The parts are so arran ed that the levers75 press the spindle 71 ownwardly in its bearings so as to normally holdthe ink rolls out of contact with the type forms, but the cam surfaces77 are pro-vlded with concave portions 78 of such shape and positionthat as the table is moved rearwardly in the manner described, the pins76 pass into the concave portions 78 of cams 77 as the inking rollsapproach the type forms in printing position and thereby permit springs73 to raise the ink roll upwardly into rolling contact with the typeforms, an opening 54" being provided in the table for the passage of thelnk roll therethrough.

Means are provided for aging the location of the work on the tabla 54 insuch position that the impression will be made on the line of the workintended for it, comprising a gage member 79 adjustable over a scale 8 Oon the table, the member 79 having a portion projecting slightly abovethe table at 81 against which the rear edge of the work is placed. Thisgage, however, may be of any desired construction and forms no part ofthe present invention.

The operation of the machine is briefl as follows: The type bars havingbeen a justed to bring the desired type to printing position, asindicated at the view aperture 15, the work is placed upon the table 54beneath the cover late 58, and handle 42 is pulled forward y, therebymoving the work table rearwardly. This movement of the table carries theinking rolls into engagement with the types selected for printingandplaces the work in proper position to receive the impression. At thesame time, the centering device accurately centers the type forms andlocks them in printing position. The platen is raised, and after thetable reaches the position described, the platen carries the workagainst the types above. Handle 42 is then returned to its rearposition, thereby retracting the platen and the centering device andreturning the work table to normal position with its forward port onprojecting through the front of the casing so t lat the work may beconveniently removed from the table.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letterls liatent is n a printing apparatus a casin rovidedwith a substantially hbrizontal allot; a plurality of type supportingmembers above the slot each provided with a plurality of types and beingmovable to bring said types selectivel to printing position; a platenbelow said slot and movable toward and from said types to impress thework; a table normally in position to have the work placed thereon andbeing movable to car the work through said slot to printing posiandcarriage as the element type forms whereby to in said forms.

10. In a rinting apparatus, a platen; a plurality 0 type supportingmembers movable to bring various t pe forms on each selectively toposition or coaction with the laten; operating means havin an impressmgmovement to move said p aten toward and from the selected type forms; awork carriage having a movement to and from printing position adjacentthe selected type laten, and also a movement while in printing positionin common with the laten toward and from the selected type orms; andactuating means operated automatically by said impressing movement ofthe operating means for eifecting each of said movements of thecarriage.

11. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a printing couple, ofan operating means for actuating the printing couple, a work carriageand connections for actuating the carriage to car the work in and out ofposition between t e printing couple and means controlled by theoperating member for automatically clamping the work to the workcarriage.

12. In a machine of the class, described, the combination with themembers of a printing couple, of means for bringing said memberstogether to effect printing, a work carriage movable to carry the workto and from a printing position between the members of the couple andalso movable when in that position to carry the work toward and from oneof the members, and devices for passes the selected V from the other toefl'ect printing,

effecting said movements of the carriage at operations of the aforesaidmeans.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a printingcouple, one memberaof which is movable toward and of means for efi'ectinsaid movement, a work carriage movab e to carry the work to and from aposition between the members of the couple and then toward and from thestationary member of the couple whereby to carry the work into roximityto said member, and devices for e ecting said movements at operations ofthe aforesaid means.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combinationwith a platen,of type supporting means adjustable to set difl'erent type forms at aprinting line opposite the platen, operating devices for efiectingrelative movement of the type sulpporting means and platen to print, awor carriage normally in position to have the work placed thereon andmovable first to carry the work between the type and platen then towardand from the type and t en back to the normal position, mechanismwhereby said movements of the table are efl'ected at operations of theaforesaid :(perating device, and automatically opera mechanism forclamping the work to the carriage while the carriage is away from itsnormal position.

LIBAN US M. TODD.

"Witnesses EDWARD H. CUMPSTON, J r., MARGARET I. BOYLE.

It is hereby certifieci that in Letters Patent No. 1,335,207, grantedMarch 30,

1920, upon the application of Libanus M Todd, of Rochester, New York,for on improvement in "GheckProtectore, errors appear in the printedspecification requiring correction as follows: Yage 5, line 46, claim 4,strike out the words rele.

tive to the carriage; same page and claim, line 48, after the worddevice insert the words relative to the savings; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that-thesame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofice.

Signed and settled this 11th day of May, A. D., 1920.

M. H. COULSTON,

Acting C'ommiaeiomr of Paton.

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